JEAN LOUIS MAKDESSI PHOTOGRAPHED BY HANAN SAWAN
renaissance
UK 7.00 / US $13.99
EDITORIAL editor-in-chief Mia Maria Mikhael creative director Mia Maria Mikhael editor Mia Maria Mikhael fashion director Mia Maria Mikhael art director Mia Maria Mikhael
contributing fashion editors Massaad Salem, Odette Salem, Fidaa Salem, Jackson Hallal, Fernando Aparsido, Belinda Hallalios, Pantaleon, Christopher Greige
i-D NO.358 THE LEBANESE LIMITED EDITION ISSUE
INTERNATIONAL i-D tel +44 207 749 7999 production@i-d.co i-D united states editor Jack Sunnucks tel +1 718 599 3101 usadvertising@i-d.co i-D australia / new zealand editor Mitch Parker tel +61 390 28000 aunz@i-d.co i-D france editor Micha Barban-Dangerfield tel +33 1 80 49 39 68 idfrance@i-d.co
contributors Alexander McQueen Amiri Ama Lou Angelo Baque Anok Yai Antha Birkenstock Binx Walton Coucou Chloe Cy Gavin Daniel Jackson Dee Nasty Delfin Finley Fenty Maison Fernando Lindez FKA twigs Gray Sorrenti Hanna Moon Indya Moore Jermaine Francis Jon Gray Juergen Teller Kano Kevin Abstract LaToya Frazier LaToya Frazier Luar Mario Sorrenti Markn Mary Manning Maxwell Tomlinson
Micheal Ward Mona Tougaard Ms Carrie Stacks Noir Kei Ninomiya Olivier Rizzo Paloma Elsesser Rebel Spirit Shaun King Sherelle Shygirl Steam Down Supreme Tayahna Walcott
editor’s letter Hey you!! yes you...my favorite reader :) Its Mia Maria the editor of this limited-edition Lebanese i-D. I just want to tell you a short quick story. The reason why I chose to be the editor of this specific magazine is because i-D, is for identity, and since i got here to Italy. I understood and discovered how attached am I to my beloving country, Lebanon. To tell you a bit about myself, i m an only girl between two boys in my family, in a masculine middle eastern society ... I think you could imagine now:P For those reasons I related the whole magazine and topics to a feminist point of view. It’s time to be a MULTIFACED woman. « The world will be set free by women who are free. Sisterhood is the key » ~
ACCORDING TO YOUR CHECK IN... text Mia Maria Mikhael
i-D NO.358 THE LEBANESE LIMITED EDITION ISSUE
According to Your Check-In… text Mia Maria Mikhael
“Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny”- C.S. Lewis A fashion etiquette could change according to your location on the map…how is that? I m going to tell you my story. My name is Mia, I come from Lebanon, from a north village called Kfaraaka…A village where you feel like Cinderella waking up every morning on the sounds of a bird whistling on your window, looking from that window to see an infinity fields of olive trees surrounding the house. After graduating with a B.A in fashion design, I took the decision to come to Milan and do my masters. Before coming in January, I came in September, it was my first visit to Milan. Looking around, I was fascinated by all the surroundings, duomo Cathedral, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, all the museums, and most importantly observing those Milanese women, I was surprised, because I was imaging those uncaring European women, as I lived before for almost two months in Netherland. Where society is based on equality and millionaires could just own a simple car instead of a Mercedes. But getting here, I was surrounded by those classy ladies, wearing full brands. Reminded me of home. Even though Milan is the capital of fashion, but it was catchy that Milanese have their classic taste, sweaters, white shirts, camel coats, simple cuts and neutral colors. Less is more, minimalism style
takes over the streets When it was the time to come back…. I started packing my stuff, I packed all my nicest cloth, and every brand item I had. I imagined myself waking up every morning, dressing up, looking nice, getting my coffee and going to school, imitating those Milanese ladies with my own Lebanese touch. I imagined every detail, from my mornings in the metro until my nights at Navigli District. Getting here, everything rotated within a hundred and eighty degrees, coming from a village, to the fact of living in such a big and crowded city like Milan, taking the metro and other public transportation while I’m used to drive my own car, feeling nervous the whole time, and the must to be aware and 100% fully focused on everything surrounding me, walking next to a drunk or a homeless person… altogether, took over my feelings, forcing me uncontrollably to wear black, a jeans and a sweater ..thinking that in such an act, I won’t attract attention to myself, thieves won’t notice my existence, and that’s my smart plan for not getting rubbed or followed by immoral stalkers. I never imagined that being in a certain place could affect the way you dress or feel like dressing. Despite the fact that some religious places, or countries affect your way of dressing because of rules and regulations and being present in those countries is also being
totally aware of their traditions. But here, its Italy, its Milan, the capital of fashion, the sky is your limit, you’re free to do and dress the way you feel you want to. Why then feeling those limitations…?! I remember that time, almost a week ago, I was posting an old photo of me back home, on Instagram… and I was thinking about the caption, what to write? Later I came up with a simple caption, which is “I miss the Lebanese me”. One of my colleagues in class… showed up, and she said: “I have a question, why you don’t dress like that here?” For the first seconds, I didn’t understand what she was asking, but later, I felt as if I only had one answer, “I don’t feel safe here!!” it made me feel bizarre while coming out of my mouth, but it was the truth! Elegance is a key element for all Middle Eastern women, more specifically Lebanon being known as a pared-back chic country. While the Milanese are famed for looking effortless, the Middle Easter n’s champion are putting the effort in. Being always chic, classic, sophisticated, wearing according to measure to their events… Yet, Personally I dare to go much more ‘statement’ in my make-up and clothes when I’m home because in our culture, it’s totally OK to be overdressed which can be fun. Except, I feel safe, Its HOME! Top influencers in the world are Lebanese, such as Lana El Sahely, Karen Wazen and many more…those international fashion influencers spreading the Lebanese chic-
ness and style around the world. Proving how Lebanese women are always wearing the latest fashion and trends. Made me aware that I failed to spread this message of my country Milan…it makes me feel unhappy! Being in a new place, checking in a new location on the map, away from your home and family… could affect indirectly your way of dressing and thinking. I’m not sure how many of you could relate to my experience, but at least this is what happened to me. But for now, I’m working on all of this, and a part of that, is writing this article, because talking about it, makes me feel more aware of what’s happening and to find solutions because keeping on this track, for sure would lead to other unexpected roads such as anxiety and depression. While this year should be a wonderful experience, that happens once in our lives!
Here’s How this Lebanese Store is Keeping Vintage and Conscious Fashion Alive! text by Mia Maria Mikhael
When one begins a journey adventuring in conscious fashion, the first steps seem to start in vintage or thrift shopping. In fact, timeless style is believed to outlive any trends, and arguably the best thing you can do for the environment is simply not create new products. Nawal Akl who lives in Beirut and owns a unique vintage destination, tells me on the phone, “I am anti-marketing and anti-conformism,” when I ask her to tell me about her approach to Depot-Vente, Beirut’s most affordable and cool vintage store. The idea of circular fashion is often associated with US venture-backed startups at the intersection of fashion and technology, such as Rent the Runway or The Real Real. But in postwar Lebanon, the idea of sustainable fashion is one we intimately know as a core part of our culture. Our grandmothers would either make their own clothes sur mesure, or often befriend with a good tailor who would custom make their tailored suits and dresses. Lebanon has famously been called the Paris of the Middle East.Here, we are able to relive the idea of what fashion looked like before Fast Fashion groups invaded the region, endangering the local markets and culture
around sustainable fashion. At a time when major European and American brands are trippingbrands are tripping over themselves to come up with a “sustainability story,” sometimes the simplest solutions are the best: buy vintage. And although modern Lebanon’s culture is very enthralled with all things Western and new, there is a distinct voice for vintage, that Depot-Vente understands. “Forget about fashion, and just work with what you love!” shares Akl, who photographs her customers in her unique finds. Her thoughts on photography: “The mirror shows you how you see yourself, but in photographs, you can see how others view you.” Founded in 2013, Depot-Vente is the most in-demand vintage shop in Beirut, if not the entire region. Akl first launched Depot-Vente seven years ago, as the name suggests, strictly as a dépôt—French for a storage—located in a tiny studio in Beirut’s hip Mar Mikhael neighborhood. The clothes are carefully curated by Akl herself, and she pays personal attention to customers based on their personal style. She loves the idea of continuing the “shelf life” of unique pieces that have been worn
and loved, and always makes sure that her clients are buying something that they feel comfortable in, that they will wear in the future; that feels like it’s theirs. “You have to love your body, and bring forward parts of your body that you love the most,” Akl states, adding: “Being timeless is a way to be eternal.” Depot-Vente’s prices start at 3,000 L.L and go up to 100,000 L.L. Pam Nasr, a Lebanese filmmaker and model who has recently relocated to New York from Beirut, is a big fan. “I discovered Depot-Vente about six years ago through my best friend. Since then, and due to Nawal’s charismatic character, she gained a lot of Depot-Vente fans and loyal customers, allowing her to expand into a second shop down the street, as well as a rental house for film, fashion, TV and TVCs,” says Nasr. “I call Nawal my fairy godmother because she always looks out for me, supports my work, and always picks out clothes for me that I wouldn’t necessarily pick out for myself. She knows her stores inside and out! I mean, if you walk in, you can barely move without bumping into clothes and shoes. Her store’s layout is chaotically organized, where she is the don, offering her moth-
er-like services to any and every customer. Her loud, charismatic personality has captured so many Beirutis’ hearts including mine,” says Nasr. “She’s given opportunities to a lot of young kids to express their talents, allowing them to continuously style and photograph their friends as well as customers for their instagram.” Akl also repurposes vintage clothing by collaborating with local designers and stylists as well as her shopkeepers. In 2015, she asked Nasr to repurpose leather pants into other wearable garments and organized a pop-up where Nasr was able to sell them, labeling her as a designer. “Nawal is all about using her store as a platform to give others creative opportunities, making women and men feel beautiful and allowing them to shine.” Her vintage pieces range from rare finds from the 60’s all the way to early 2000’s and caters to women and men.
Photo by Prod Antzoulis Styling Mia Maria Mikhael Text Mia Maria Mikhael
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D e p o t V e n t B e i r u t
T H A T ’ 7 0 s SOMETHING… The 70’s haven’t really been matched. There was a spirit of creativity that is sort of timeless and is still appealing and still influences creative people today. When you think 1970s’ fashion, you’re probably thinking bell bottoms and fitted shirts. That was a classic look throughout the decade, but there was a lot more to 70’s style than this one look. It was about glam rock and disco styles that introduced platform shoes, bright colors, glitter, sequins, and satin. Fashion during this time was so varied and experimental that Vogue declared, “There are no rules in the fashion game now.” It was all about individuality.
Photography Hanan Sawan Styling Mia Maria Mikhael Hair Redloft Make-up Wafaa Beaini Photograghy assistance Yorgo Franjeh Styling assistance Belinda Hallal Production D.O.P Studio i-D NO.358 THE LEBANESE LIMITED EDITION ISSUE
A M O D E R N REWIND 70’S Anyone who paid attention to the catwalk, these past few seasons will know that the 70’s have inspired international and worldwide designers such as Victoria Beckham, Chloe, Stella McCartney amongst others, for a while now. That decade was quite simply bold and overstated at its best. Beirut at 1970’s was nicknamed as “ The Paris Of The Middle East” From colony to couture, no other Middle Eastern city has proved itself to be a hub of art and fashion quite like
Beirut. The fusion of East and West, of tradition and modernity, earned the Lebanese capital this name. War-torn and tired, the people of Beirut show they can turn tragedy into cultural innovation. The city constantly proves itself to be the center of Middle Eastern cultural innovation. And that’s was what we saw in the SS19 couture collections of the Lebanese international fashion designers. A New Modern Vision of the 70’s but in 2019!
My Runaway Bride text by Mia Maria Mikhael
Having already left three grooms at the altar, Belinda Halla is branded “the runaway bride”. In our middle eastern society, if a girl passes the age of 27-30 and does it get married, she will be labeled. Before there was once a very good reason for women to lock it down with a man: Men offered something that we, as women, needed. Men were hunters, providers, and protectors, while women took on the role of child-rearing and maintaining a home. These were our biological roles, the natural order of how things were “supposed” to be, and because of that, for a very long time, no one batted an eye. However, as we’ve clawed ourselves out of that mold and fought against our inherent biology, our “need” to be married isn’t what it used to be. What if that era has now come to an end? Yes, imagine that: The entire human history of women depending on men being wiped out — can you even fathom it? Can men stomach such a reality? Well, they should, we all should, because we’re living it right now as more and more women realize that marriage isn’t a necessity after all. But, in addition to that realization and awakening that many women are having, there are plenty of other reasons that are contributing to why women are getting married less and less. The idea of having this mandatory schedule, to be born, get married, get kids, raise them and die.
YOU ARE STRONG, YOU CAN DO
O IT!
The strong bride is wearing an Elie Saab Bridal Gown.
Frosting herself with Chanel jewelry
Handmaded socks by the designer her_by_m and the pretty Palladium ringer shoe
“I’m a strong woman because a strong woman raised me. Climbing up I wasn’t looking for a knight, I was looking for a sword. Be wild, be free, seek for your own destination and don’t ever look back! keep in mind, you are a diamond dear, they can’t break you.” Belinda Hallal i-D NO.358 THE LEBANESE LIMITED EDITION ISSUE
This cutie little donkey was on set with us, giving us his opinion. He’s through his eyes.
very much into fashion styling. Editorials are his passion. You can see it
Skirt and Top Ted Baker Earring Vanina World
“Bayneh w Baynik”, an Arab Lebanese Hollywood actress, an influencer, a feminist and a strong defensive woman. Who talks about life issues transparently. “Being bold, confident or authentic can look very attractive or enviable from a distance. But the truth is, it’s a daily practice of courage. A choice I personally recommit to every day, despite oftentimes feeling misunderstood, judged, threatened or even scared. You’ve got meaningful work to do in this world.” Rana alamuddin. You’re totally at ease expressing your sexuality. Who said you have to choose? You don’t.
Dress by KRYSTL and shoe Poise Design
Also KRYSTL vintage headpice from DepotVent Beirut
Dress by Rabih Keyrouz Collar by Vanina World
Poise Design
A total Vintage look from DepotVent Beirut
Suit Zuhair Murad Vinatge watch from DepotVent Beirut Jewelry Vanina World Hermes Scarf Poise Design
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The disco dress by Zuhair Murad vinatge headpiece from DepotVent Beirut Eyewear QUAY
BELINDA HALLAL “keep your mind free and your imagination wild.”
The disco dress by Zuhair Murad vinatge headpiece from DepotVent Beirut Eyewear QUAY
Christina
Belinda setting free the Hermes scraf Christina set free the HERMES Scarf
Belinda wearing total look from George Hobeika, holding a vintage Chanel bag and wearing Poise Design from ShoeWear. Frosting herself with Chanel jewelry and a vintage Raymond weil watch, miu-miu eyewear.
mood
After party , i began to forget, but what I won’t forget is that I’m never turning my back on myself again. WParty hard, make mistakes, and laugh endlessly. Do things you’re afraid to do. After all, you’re only YOUNG ONCE.
vinatge dress with handmaded embroidery
Elie Saab total look, with the Vanina World Jewelry , Moschino Scraf and vintage Gucci Eyewear and handmaded gloves by the designer her_by_m
It felt like judgment day, terrible! text Mia Maria Mikhael
“The fires started on Monday night in the dense forests,It was like a movie, we ran and woke up our neighbors, we were losing our mind remembered the days of the war”- one Chouf resident said. It was 4:30 am in the morning, people woke up and the world was red. It felt like judgment day, terrible, absolutely terrible and scary!
BUT Lebanon is like a phoenix; we rise from under the ashes. “I promise that I will come back from under the ashes” Lebanon. In a single day last week, 120-200 fires spread all over different parts of Lebanon, including the historical and well-preserved mountains and forests. The fires reached residential areas, forcing many people to evacuate their homes, in the middle of the night, with no place to stay or go to. The damaged was worsened by a lack of recourses to contain the fire. Yet, the government’s unpreparedness was not newly to many. Since 2007, when Lebanon experienced similarly intense fires, activists and experts have been warning authorities that they should improve their firefighting capabilities, increase enforcement of existing laws and increase efforts to better manage forests. The Lebanese government’s ineptitude has driven people to the streets. But the crucial question is: Why did the Lebanese government fail to react in an efficient manner to contain the wildfires? And what were the cabinet members
and the president doing that night, while citizens and firefighters from the Civil Defense, with limited technical capability, were desperately trying to put out the flames? They were probably sleeping soundly, their consciences appeased. The next morning, Lebanese officials requested urgent assistance from the Cypriots, who sent two planes. More help came from Jordan, Italy and Greece, and eventually the fires were contained. But didn’t the Lebanese state have any firefighting aircraft that could have gained us precious time and prevented serious, maybe irreversible, losses? It sure did. It had not one, not two, but three firefighting Sikorsky S-70 helicopters that were purchased and donated to the government after a coalition of citizens and businessmen raised about $15 million in 2009. The Army was put in charge of these helicopters because the Civil Defense does not have pilots, but they nominally belonged to the Ministry of Interior. From 2009 to 2012, the helicopters were used to fight multiple fires. But in subsequent years, no repairs were made on the helicopters, and they went out of service. The Ministry of Interior and Municipalities didn’t fund the needed amount for their maintenance. But off course the goverment was way busy with all the corruption, and how to steal those money for their own pockets. For all of this and some extra reasons, Lebanon’s fire got all the Lebanese citizens together to assist victims and fight against this corruption. The destructive wildfires have also ignited an altruistic
sense of humanitarianism in the hearts of Lebanese people as organizations and independent citizens have already started campaigns to aid the victims of the fires, offering them free apartments and food. On Wednesday morning, I woke up to a picture of a young man who had lost his life fighting the fires. I woke up to the news of more beautiful and essential trees devoured by flames, in a country already afflicted by the absence of an aware and proper environmental policy. I woke up to people in power, who have repeatedly put their own interests in front of those of their people, expressing regret and calling for an investigation, but not taking responsibility for the disaster. Last but not least, I woke up to the voices of insolent politicians exchanging accusations, trying to exploit the situation to score political points, an indecency we’re by now accustomed to, especially under the current so-called strong regime of President Michel Aoun and his Free Patriotic Movement, whose inadequate performance (to say the least) has made us plunge even more deeply into the economic crisis that has been looming over us for years, and is now crushing the country. Rain began to fall late Tuesday afternoon, bringing hope of an end the fires. God keep always an eye on Lebanon.
There’s No
(PLAN)ET B
Total look Maison JE bracelet UNO de 50
Coat Gucci. Maison JE linen top,pants and proudly LEBANESE shirt designer made. Eyewear Rayban necklace rosary Haddad Jewelry
COLOMBIA ringer
LEBANON IS BURNING
EDITORIALS
S
S
REALITY
Suit Maison JE
What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid? Honestly. Transparently. Really. Think about it. If fear weren’t a factor: what would you be doing?
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LOVE ISN’
i-D NO.358 THE LEBANESE LIMITED EDITION ISSUE
’T A GAME
ARAB My introduction to being an « Arab » female was complex from the get-go: Lebanese Druze father lives in super Sunni part of Beirut and studies in an Islamic school. Lebanese Druze mother is raised in Christian town & schooled by catholic nuns. My father becomes a diplomat so we spend years living in one country after another picking up new languages. Our life abroad is a mix of civil war repercussions, cosmopolitan living, waves of politicians, thinkers, artists & activists coming in and out of our home and I’m a teenage girl living in Milano whose name means « frog » in Italian. My horizons-and identity- feel limitless. Then the you-will-eventually-marry-a-Druze-manor-you-will-be-disowned and the you-shallnever-dare-to-think-of-premarital-sex rain on me. And suddenly I’m confused. So to gain clarity, I marry my Christian boyfriend civilly in Cyprus, give our kids Arabic-French names, become a Hollywood actress then move to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and only circumcise our son at age 3-not out of true conviction-but mainly not to get in the way of his sexual self-esteem when he reaches puberty. So my definition of #ArabWoman is as diverse, nuanced and individualized as there are women out there living their unique journeys. What’s yours?
“LOVE HAS NO CULTURE, BOUNDARIES, RACE OR RELIGION”- MIA MARIA MIKHAEL
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PLEASURE IS A RIGHT Pleasure is a birthright not a luxury: We pretend. Deny. Repress. Self-punish. Believing it’s a way to move forward, to succeed or prove how strong we are. And we forget to connect and surrender to the pleasure we were designed to experience. From the simple pleasures of just being in the present moment without any agenda or sharing a slow meal, to having an unexpected soul connection with someone, all the way to mind-blowing multiple orgasms or oneness with creation itself.
Because pleasure is a birthright. Pleasure heals, transforms and awakens us to never-ending insights and depths into our true selves
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OUR LEGACY Leila Shahid
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Palestine - 1949 The first female Palestinian ambassador, Leila Shahid spent two decades representing Palestine in France and at the European Union Her riveting analysis of global geo-strategy and #unapologetic discourse on the responsibility of concerned parties in the revival of a two-state solution make her one of the most prominent faces of Arab diplomacy She pulls it all off with an impressive mastery of Arabic, French and English, deep knowledge in literature and anthropology and an impeccable sense of style. An undisputed reference on how to age with both captivating elegance and confidence
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Hend Rostom Egypt - 1931-2011 Despite her cinematic talents and alluring sex appeal, labels such as “Queen of seduction” and “Marilyn Monroe of the East” still feel restrictive when it comes to defining Hend Rostom. She was mostly a free spirit, an adventurous artist and a woman comfortable in her own skin. She embodied that freedom more than ever in 1979 when she retired from cinema and entertainment altogether to focus on living life with her husband and daughter. She turned down films, invitations to events in her honor and a million Egyptian pounds to portray her life as a mini series. She was adamant that her personal life was hers alone and not for mass consumption. Isn’t an adulated movie star who chooses motherhood over the limelight and owns it whole-heartedly, not as a sacrifice, deserving of recognition? Because any mother knows without the slightest doubt that parenting is one of the most challenging roles any human can undertake. And that raising a balanced and self-realized individual is one of the greatest gifts to self and the world. So here’s to opening up to a broader spectrum of what success, inspiration, achievement and legacy can mean.
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C’EST MOI!
Be part of this REVOLUTION, talk about yourself freely, express yourself and be proud no matter your identity, spread those stickers and the message behind it.
SAY “C’EST MOI!”
C’est
C’est
C’EST MOI!
Be part of this REVOLUTION, talk about yourself freely, express yourself and be proud no matter your identity, spread those stickers and the message behind it.
SAY “C’EST MOI!”
INEQUALITY between
men and
women.
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Because you’re already a whole and complete woman as you are. Without feeling the desire or experiencing getting married or having children. When you’re financially independent you have the clarity to remain in a relationship out of choice and conviction rather than out of despair or broken wings. How many of us have been exposed to sexual harassment or abuse in their lives? If a woman is attractive, likes to joke and laugh, if she’s open-minded, comfortable in her sexual energy or even exciting, those are not an invitation for sexual harassment or abuse. We young girls and women, have to stop carrying the weight of family honor and societal reputation on our shoulders. We have the right to be spontaneous, to be ourselves and express all our facets freely, without feeling we’re bringing harassment and abuse to ourselves. We need to break this vicious cycle of shame and guilt we live in. How? We need to talk openly and honestly and stop blaming ourselves
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MARRIAGE from Religion
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DIFFERENT
Lebanon’s mass street protests resemble other outpourings of anger in places like Chile and Ecuador. But the Lebanese never miss an excuse to party.
prime minister post can go only to someone who is Sunni Muslim. The system only exacerbates deep divisions in Lebanon, protesters say, with politicians often pitting religious communities against each Faced with years of war, Lebanese have other. coped with strife by using satire, humor “Hela-Hela-Hela-Hela-Ho Gebran Bassil and lots of dancing. This thawra or revoK** Emmo” lution, as anti-government protesters in This chant is crude. And catchy. LiteralLebanon call it, is no different. It’s accomly, it’s a popular Arabic curse referencing panied by clever handwritten signs, proone’s mother’s private parts. Idiomaticalfanity-laced chants and even “Baby Shark” ly, it’s an “F-you” to the foreign minister, singalongs. Gebran Bassil. Old women, young children For almost a week now, protesters have and feisty teenagers have been singing it, been demanding better public services, pumping their fists in the air to the tune, economic reforms and a new government. which is a mashup of what Arabs chant at And many of them have done so while soccer games. holding a Lebanese flag in one hand and a Protesters single out Bassil for many reabeer in the other. sons. They say he rose to power thanks to One of the loudest chants of the protests his father-in-law, the president. He is also has been, “All of them means all of them!” seen as the main figure responsible for Protesters aren’t singling out any one one of Lebanon’s biggest woes, its cripleader. They’re sick of the same political pled electricity sector. Most cities experielite Lebanon has had for years, from the ence daily power cuts, and many Lebanese 81-year-old speaker of Parliament — in pay regular bills for generators in addition office for almost three decades — to Prime to their monthly electric bills. Minister Saad Hariri, whose billionaire faProtesters Continue To Fill Streets Of Lebather previously held the post. non, United By Their Calls For Change. Leaders scrambled to offer economic re“He’s been making so many promises forms, but protesters say they’re too late, about delivering electricity 24/7 ... and he even changing some politicians’ names on blames others for his failures,” said MoWikipedia to the “All of them” slogan. hanad Hage Ali, a political analyst at CarnA variation of this chant is “All of them egie Middle East Center. means all of them, and Nasrallah is one Instead of improving the power grid, of them.” Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Bassil was behind the commissioning of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, is a Turkish power stations on ships parked long-revered figure for fighting Israel, but offshore to supply Lebanon with electricihe has stirred resentment among some, as ty, costing hundreds of millions of dollars his group has gained political power in the each year. same government the protesters want to It’s “the major black hole in the governtopple. ment’s budget in the past decade,” Hage Protesters are also frustrated with the way Ali said. Lebanon’s politics are tied up in sectariBassil has also riled some protesters for anism. In a power-sharing system set up blaming the country’s problems on the in the 1940s, the position of the president Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebamust go to a Christian Maronite, while the non.
Cursing aside, there have been some So, how many hugs has Aswany given kid-friendly moments. Driving through a away on Beirut’s main protest street? crowd of protesters on a recent night, a “Countless,” he said. woman named Eliane Jabbour asked them to quiet down while her toddler slept in the front seat, as Reuters reports. Instead of shouting their usual slogans, protesters switched to a rendition of the YouTube earworm “Baby Shark.” Jabbour’s cellphone video of the incident has swept the Internet — and now “Baby Shark” has become another anthem sung at the large demonstrations. Young protesters are also calling for LGBT rights in Lebanon, with rainbow flags spotted in the crowds and graffiti on buildings from “Proud and Gay” to “Love is no crime, love is noble #LGBT.” Beirut is considered an LGBT capital of the Arab world, with gay-friendly bars and drag shows. But Lebanese law still considers gay sex a crime with a prison sentence of up to a year, and authorities have prosecuted Lebanese LGBT people in the past. This year, organizers canceled the opening event of Beirut’s LGBT pride festival amid reported threats from religious groups. Then there’s the derogatory anti-gay term loute, as the Arabic word is pronounced in Lebanese dialect. Other protesters have chanted against politicians, calling them “Louti,” meaning “sodomite.” It references the Quranic and biblical character Lot from sinful Sodom. And in the end there was a man who in my opinion i consider him winner of the week. Spotted him in the street, holding a sign that reads, “Hurry up free hugs.”
WE BELI
Mahmoud Aswany jokes that the government will even place a tax on hugs if the Lebanese people don’t keep protesting. The protests first started when the government tried to tax calls on the free service WhatsApp.
IEVE IN YOU(TH)
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